The Office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT (ONC)

Overview

The Office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT (ONC) is a subsidiary of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) designed as a special purpose vehicle to galvanize all development efforts in the ICT industry. With the growing pressure of globalization, every government as well as captains of industry are charged with the burden of finding ways to ensure that their regions stay competitive and are capable of fulfilling local demand. It is imperative that right frameworks are created to enhance the ability of indigenous companies to maximally explore and exploit local opportunities, as well remain competitively. ONC is the Agency’s wing that push for the development of local skills, technology transfer, use of local manpower and local manufacturing. It defines the amount of incremental value added or created in Nigerian through the utilization of Nigerian human and material resources for the provision of goods and services in the ICT industry within acceptable quality and standards in order to stimulate the development of the indigenous capabilities.

Objectives

To enable local ICT industry to contribute meaningfully towards the achievement of national development targets.

To stimulate and increase the production, sales and consumption of high quality. information technology products and services developed by indigenous companies that serve the unique needs of the local and global market.

To enable indigenous information technology companies and provide them opportunities that will improve their ability to provide relevant products and services that amply satisfy the Nigerian consumer.

To facilitate efforts to build capacity and equip Nigerians to serve as active workers and participants in the local ICT industry.

To provide a framework for the regulation and legislation on the creation, distribution and use of information Technology and its associations within Nigeria.

To promote and encourage an environment within Nigeria that is welcoming to foreign investments in Information and Communication Technology, as well as the export of indigenously made ICT goods and services.

Structure

ONC as a subsidiary under NITDA consist of;

The National Coordinator (NC) office and

Programme Desks offices

The National Coordinator

Role and Responsibilities of the National Coordinator

The national coordinator is the head of the ONC and provides executive leadership for the office.

The NC reports directly to the DG, NITDA.

The NC as the head of ONC manages and process the periodic review of the Guidelines that created ONC.

Programme Desks

The programme desks consist of the following areas and are responsible for leading and executing the specific provisions of the ONC mandates;

Services

Software

Human capital

Hardware

1. Services Provisioning

Ensure all Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Telcos, Networking and Data companies meet and fulfill all the provisions set out in the guidelines that established ONC.

Ensure NITDA and National Communication Commission (NCC) fulfill their roles as set out in the guidelines.

Leading discussions with Multinational companies (MNCs) to ensure that local firms are given priority over offshore outsourcing in their procurement processes.

Facilitate the development and growth of an ICT enabled service industry in collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Information Technology. Enable Outsourcing Companies (NAITEOC) and other groups focused on the ICT services.

Monitoring, enforcement and creative implementation of the guidelines.

Promotion of the emergence and growth of local ICT-Enabled Services industry

2. The Software Industry Development Desk

Ensure all Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Software Development Firms (SDFs) meet and fulfill all the provisions set out in the guidelines.

Ensure NITDA fulfills its role as set out in the guidelines.

Lead campaigns and awareness for the use and adoption of locally developed software.

Work with universities and institutions of higher learning to build centers of excellence for software engineering.

Work with incubation centers, ISVs and SDFs to ensure that locally developed software meet the highest quality standards.

Foster the growth of the software industry by facilitating funding, mergers, acquisitions and more visibility for Nigerian ICT entrepreneurs.

Develop programmes and initiatives to increase demands for local software products.